Solar energy first for Northwood
20 April 2011The entire output of the one-acre array of solar panels will go to the Northwood, Ohio facility, which is to be the first NSG Group site to receive a significant proportion of its power from solar energy. The project will supply approximately 12 percent of the plant’s power requirements.
The panels, incorporating the NSG Group’s solar glass products, have been installed on top of a former waste impoundment – known as a sand pond – originating from the East Toledo float plant that was demolished in 1987.
“The mound is about 55 feet high and free of trees, so it is ideally placed to receive the maximum sunlight,” said Environmental Manager Cliff Fleener. “Depending on how successful this project is, the field could eventually be extended up to about 50 acres.”
The array was installed by environmental engineering specialists Hull & Associates in partnership with NSG Group, which has signed a 20-year agreement to take the power output. Development of the $1.5m project has been partially supported by a grant from the Ohio Energy Office through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s State Energy Program.
“This project highlights the Group’s commitment to responsible stewardship and the solar energy market both locally and around the world,” said Cliff.